Magas; or, Long Ago, Chapter IX-XII [pp. 256-265]

60Magas; or, Loing Ago.
objects will occasion me. I feel my
own nature rebelling against my aspiration, and I want power to conquer it. The apostle says the gospel is power unto salvation, and that
power is needed where life must be
one combat, as mine must be for the
time to come."
Dionysius, too modest to arrogate
to himself the gifts which daily experience proved him to possess, of
working miracles to attest the power
of God, simply said, "The holy apostle Paul is even now at Corinth;
you cannot do better than seek him
there; I myself will shortly do the
same."
CHAPTER XI.
Two years have passed; such years!
Magas has left Athens, has become
a Christian-nay, a Christian preacher. His property has been more for
others than himself; for he has renounced wealth, pomp, earthly power,
to follow the footsteps of that wondrous convert who was brought to
Christ by being struck down to earth
by excess of light-blinded by glory-by seeing the heavenly vision
with the unprepared eyes of earth.
By St. Paul confirmed in the faith,
Magas was, through the same apostle, set apart for the ministry through
the laying on of hands. Magas has
so completely changed his nature, his
very features seem altered. The
young Athenian noble, proud of a
long line of ancestry, but seeks to
devote his days to the one Master
who shares his undivided heart.
Yet he returned to Athens, and
his voice was heard by Chione.
All night she listened; in her
short slumbers she dreamed of him;
in the morning her wandering senses
had returned. Lotis entered her
room with her breakfast; and the
wild light in Chione's eyes had subsided. She looked around; she in
quired, "Where am I? Lotis, why
are you here?"
"I am here to tend you, dear Chione; you have been ill."
"Ill!" said Chione, passing her
hand over her brow; "Ill I! I've
had a long, strange dream! WVhere's
Magas?"
"I do not know," said Lotis.
"He was here last night," said
Chione. "I heard his voice; all night
I watched for him; why did he keep
away?"
"I cannot tell you," answered
Lotis.
"Cannot tell! Is not this his
house? is he not at home?"
"No! this is not his house," said
Lotis; "he has been away from
Athens, and he left you here to be
taken care of. Now you must ask no
more questions, but take your breakfast. I will send to Magas to tell him
you are better."
Lotis left the room and summoned
another attendant, charging her to be
careful of her speech, lest the newly
returned reason should again fail.
she herself sought the bishop to let
him know of the change.
It required some care to break to
Chione the tidings that she was in
the house of the Lady Damaris; that
for two years she had been a prey to
a most cruel malady of the brain,
during which time Lotis had taken
every possible care of her; and that
Magas had been, during that time,
away. Reawakened reason almost
tottered again on its throne. Chione's
pride was evidently hurt.
"Two years! two years! was
that the end of my triumph? Magas! a mad woman! What has Magas been doing?"
"He will tell you that best himself; he will be here shortly."
"Two years! two long years! 0
Magas!"
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